In PnP Hand Crossbows have the "ammunition" trait, which requires that you have a hand free to reload them. Thus, if they where pre-loaded you can dual wield once, then you would have to drop one in order to reload the other.
The same applies to slings. Unlike BG1, Sling and shield is not an option in 5e PnP.
Note that there are a couple of work-rounds in PnP. Artificers can make crossbows that ignore the "ammunition" trait; Thri-Kreen have four arms.
Last edited by FrostyFardragon; 09/01/23 08:53 AM.
